Best platformer designed around Co-Op

In the early days of video gaming, platformers were known to be some of the best single player games out there. But in today's modern era, platformers have evolved to provide some of the most fun co-op action games can offer.

Whether it's games designed to get couples playing together, or jaw-dropping puzzle games with a wicked sense of humor, there are tons of great co-op platforms to explore.

7 Guacamole 2

Luchavägen

When the original Guacamole! released, it was hailed as a great throwback to old-school Metroidvania platformers with a distinct art style. With that in mind, many were excited about the evolution of the series with the second entry that would allow co-op play throughout the experience.

Unfortunately, Guacamole 2 never got the widespread love and attention it deserved. Any gamer looking for an under-loved co-op Metroidvania-style platformer should give it a go Guacamole 2 a try for its cocky and evil humor as well as chunky satisfying combat that permeates every minute of its co-op gameplay.

6 Unravel 2

Trained together

The first one Sort out was widely loved for its enchanting art style and new main character made of yarn, who could use his own string self to navigate around relatively simple but charming platforming levels. Unravel 2 built on everything that came before and it came out as a much better game.

Despite being criminally underplayed, Unravel 2 is one of the better co-op puzzle platformers available today, enhancing the complexity, charm and difficulty of the original by infusing everything with a co-op sensibility. If you have a partner who wants something a little more relaxed, Unravel 2 is the perfect place to go.

5 Rayman Legends

Hoodlums In The House

As one of the older franchises still alive and kicking, Rayman has gone through a huge amount of revolutions, starting as a 2D platform adventure, to 3D action, and then swinging back to 2D platformers with the widely beloved Rayman Legends.

Players play as the titular Rayman and a roster of friends across a series of incredibly inventive and mechanically engaging platforming levels. Nuts and bolts on Rayman LegendThe level design is incredibly strong, which is why it's still sometimes cited as the best game in the series, and it's made even better by its extensive co-op support.

4 Little Big Planet 3

Sackboy puts forward

Although the once dominant LittleBigPlanet franchise is now seemingly dead, it's still well worth remembering how popular the games were and how they still offered a great family-friendly platforming experience with an extensive and terrifying customization engine.

Unfortunately, the servers too Little Big Planet 3the controversial but most comprehensive entry in the series, has recently been removed, meaning online co-op is not possible and the game itself is being taken down from the store. But if coop co-op is still an option, Little Big Planet 3 remains a heartwarming and charming adventure with Sackboy and friends.

3 Super Mario 3D World

The mushroom kingdom needs compatriots

It's no secret that Nintendo was struggling during the Wii U era and they needed a big win, fast. For all intents and purposes, that profit came with it Super Mario 3D World, a storming return to form for the beleaguered console that provided a timeless (and one of the hardest) entry in the franchise.

While something in the shadow of Odyssey just a couple of years later, Super Mario 3D World may still be the best way to play a good old-fashioned Mario game with friends, and it's well worth rooting out if possible.

2 It takes two

Marriage is a collaborative experience

When it comes to embracing the idea of ​​co-op gaming to the max, few do it better than Hazelight Studios. It takes two! is the latest in a line of great co-op-centric games, all of which use the nature of playing with friends to deeply inform the mechanics at play.

IN It takes two! players take control of a married couple considering divorce who are magically transformed into dolls and must work together to return to their normal forms (while uncovering the game's many secrets). It's a surprisingly emotional co-op game that has a lot of heart and delivers on the platforming credentials as well, offering a fun experience for gaming veterans and those who have never played the same.

1 Cuphead

Cartoon friends

Some co-op games are about chilling with friends, but some like it Cuphead, exists to push your bands to their limits. Cuphead is a notoriously difficult game, and that difficulty takes on a whole new meaning when playing co-op.

While bosses and arenas remain the same when played in co-op, lives are shared between both players, meaning everyone must excel if they want to survive. It provides a more intense platforming experience than any other on this list and is easily one of the best co-op platformers available today.